Rotary manipulation type input apparatus

ABSTRACT

A rotary manipulation type input apparatus is disclosed. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus including a rotatable wheel; a magnet joined to the bottom of the wheel; a printed circuit board having one or more detection elements mounted thereon, the detection elements detecting a rotation of the magnet; a base having the printed circuit board joined thereto; and a holder joined to the base and supporting the wheel such that the wheel is rotatable, where the holder includes a body portion, an inclination portion extending in a particular angle from the body portion, and a securing portion extending from an end of the inclination portion and joined to the base, and the inclination portion is made of metal, has a reduced thickness and has superior endurance to external impact.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser.No. 11/546,875 filed on Oct. 13, 2006 for which priority is claimedunder 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Korean Patent Application No. 2006-0022562filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 10, 2006, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a rotary manipulation type inputapparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a mobile terminal has the numbers 0-9 and the symbols * and# on a keypad of 12 keys. In addition to the numbers, there are alsoalphabet letters as well as consonants and vowels of Korean lettersmarked on such a keypad, to enable the input of information includingnumbers and letters. Recently, there are also navigation keys formedabove the keypad equipped with a variety of functions such as phonenumber search, writing and managing text messages, and connecting to theInternet, etc. There are various forms of navigation keys, such asbutton types and rotary types, etc., but the use of rotary manipulationtype input apparatus is currently increasing, as they enable variousfunctions such as menu browsing, etc.

As the latest mobile terminals are becoming more and more slim in shape,so also is there a demand for these rotary manipulation type inputapparatus to be slim. In addition to being slim, there is also a demandfor endurance to withstand external impact. However, since inconventional rotary manipulation type input apparatus there are Hallsensors or MR sensors, etc., mounted on the printed circuit board, etc.,there is a limit to how much the thickness can be decreased. Also, sincethe portion supporting the rotary plate is generally joined to the base,etc., by means of molded products, the input apparatus are vulnerable toexternal impact.

SUMMARY

The present invention aims to provide a rotary manipulation type inputapparatus which has a reduced thickness, and which outputs rotationspeed, direction, and angle, etc., to allow various types of input.

The invention also aims to provide a rotary manipulation type inputapparatus which has superior endurance to external impact, etc.

One aspect of the invention provides a rotary manipulation type inputapparatus including a rotatable wheel; a magnet joined to the bottom ofthe wheel; a printed circuit board having one or more detection elementsmounted thereon, the detection elements detecting a rotation of themagnet; a base having the printed circuit board joined thereto; and aholder joined to the base and supporting the wheel such that the wheelis rotatable, wherein the holder comprises a body portion, aninclination portion extending in a particular angle from the bodyportion, and a securing portion extending from an end of the inclinationportion and joined to the base, and the inclination portion is made ofmetal.

The printed circuit board may have one or more receiving holes formedtherein in correspondence with the detection elements, and at least aportion of the detection elements is inserted in the receiving holes.

The body portion and the securing portion may be made of metal. The basemay have one or more insertion holes in which at least a portion of thedetection elements is positioned in correspondence with the receivingholes.

The detection element may be a Hall sensor or an MR sensor.

The body portion may have an insertion hole and one or more ledgesformed adjacent to the insertion hole, the wheel may have securingprotrusions protruding downwards, and a washer having one or morerotation holes of predetermined central angles formed therein may beinserted onto the ledges, the securing protrusions being inserted intothe rotation holes. The holder may have one or more support portionholes, formed in positions corresponding to the detection elements, inwhich at least portions of the detection elements are positioned.Meanwhile, the rotary manipulation type input apparatus may furtherinclude a center key formed at the center of the wheel; and a domebutton on the printed circuit board such that enables the center key topress the dome button.

Other aspect of the invention provides a rotary manipulation type inputapparatus including a rotatable wheel; a magnet joined to the bottom ofthe wheel; a printed circuit board having one or more detection elementsmounted thereon, the detection elements detecting a rotation of themagnet; a base having the printed circuit board joined thereto; and anelastic holder joined to the base and supporting the wheel such that thewheel is rotatable.

At least a portion of the holder may be made of metal.

The printed circuit board may have one or more receiving holes formedtherein in correspondence with the detection elements, and at least aportion of the detection elements may be inserted in the receivingholes.

The base may have one or more insertion holes in which at least aportion of the detection elements is positioned in correspondence withthe receiving holes.

Meanwhile, the rotary manipulation type input apparatus may furtherinclude a center key formed at the center of the wheel; and a domebutton on the printed circuit board such that enables the center key topress the dome button.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be setforth in part in the description which follows and in part will beobvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary manipulation type inputapparatus in an unassembled state according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary manipulation type inputapparatus of FIG. 1 in an assembled state.

FIG. 3 is a magnified cross-sectional view of a rotary manipulation typeinput apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention illustratingthe composition of the support portion and illustrating sensors insertedinto the base and printed circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Below, embodiments of the rotary manipulation type input apparatusaccording to the invention will be described in more detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. In the description withreference to the accompanying drawings, those components are renderedthe same reference number that are the same or are in correspondenceregardless of the figure number, and redundant explanations are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a rotary manipulation type input apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the invention comprises a rotatably joinedwheel 11, a washer 25 which secures the wheel 11 to a holder 15, acenter key 29 joined at the center of the wheel 11, a ring-shaped magnet13 joined to the bottom of the wheel 11 which rotates together with thewheel 11, the holder 15 joined to the upper surface of a base 39 forrotatably supporting the wheel 11, a printed circuit board 31 joined tothe upper surface of the base 39, and Hall sensors 35 positioned ingrooves of the printed circuit board 31 which are detection elements forsensing the rotation of the magnet 13.

As the holder 15 which rotatably supports the wheel 11 is made of metaland is joined directly on the base 39 also made of metal, the rotarymanipulation type input apparatus according to this embodiment hassuperior endurance to external impact. Also, it is returned to itsoriginal position by means of the elasticity of the metal holder 15after an external force is removed, to provide a better tactile feel.

On the printed circuit board 31 having the Hall sensors 35, i.e. thedetection elements, there are receiving holes 37 formed, in which atleast portions of the Hall sensors 35 can be positioned, so that thethickness of the rotary manipulation type input apparatus may be reducedby the thickness of a receiving hole 37. Also, by additionally forminginsertion holes 43 on the base 39 in which may be positioned the Hallsensors 35, i.e. the detection elements, the thickness of the rotarymanipulation type input apparatus may further be reduced by thethickness of an insertion hole 43.

The wheel 11 is generally shaped as a circular plate, with an insertionhole 14 formed in the center through which the center key 29 may beinserted. The wheel 11 has a plurality of securing protrusions 12adjacent to the insertion hole 14 that protrude downwards. As thesecuring protrusions 12 are inserted into the rotation holes 27 of thewasher 25, the wheel 11 is rotatably joined to the holder 15. On thebottom surface of the wheel 11 is joined the magnet 13, which ismagnetized to have multiple poles. The wheel 11 is rotated together withthe magnet 13 by user operation, whereby a variety of inputs are made asthe Hall sensors 35 sense the rotation angle, direction, and speed,etc., of the magnet 13. Also, a portion may be pressed by the user, sothat a push protrusion formed on the reverse side of the holder 15presses the upper surface of a dome button 33 to activate a separatefunction.

The securing protrusions 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2, are insertedthrough the center hole 21 of the holder 15 and the rotation holes 27 ofthe washer 25, with the ends processed such that they are not detachedfrom the rotation holes 27. The washer 25 is inserted and joined ontothe center of the holder 15, whereby the wheel 11 is joined to theholder 15. The central angles of the rotation holes 27 through which thesecuring protrusions 12 are inserted define the angle by which the wheel11 is able to rotate.

The magnet 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the wheel 11 to berotated together with the wheel 11, and such rotation of the magnet 13is sensed by the Hall sensors 35 for an input based on the rotationangle. The magnet 13 has the shape of a ring magnetized to havealternating N- and S-poles, and the Hall sensors 35 are able to detectthe rotation angle, direction, and speed of the wheel 11 according tothe changes in N- and S-poles above the Hall sensors 35.

The holder 15 is joined to one side of the base 39 and rotatablysupports the wheel 11. The holder 15 may be made of metal, such asstainless steel, etc., so that when the particular force applied on thewheel 11 is removed, the wheel 11 is returned to its original positiondue to the elasticity of the holder 15 itself. The holder 15 may beformed by press processing, etc. Of course, the holder 15 may also beformed by plastics, etc., that are high in elasticity.

The holder 15 includes a ring-shaped body portion 18, and a supportportion 16 protruding from the perimeter of the body portion 18 andjoined to a side of the base 39. The body portion 18 has a center hole21 in the middle, and the support portion 16 protruding in fourdirections around the center hole 21 comprises an inclination portion 17protruding downwards in a particular inclination, and a securing portion19 extending horizontally from the end of the inclination portion 17.

The inclination portion 17 protrudes outwards and connects the bodyportion 18 and the securing portion 19. Since the inclination portion 17is formed by metal, etc., having elasticity, when an external forceapplied on the holder 15 is removed, the holder 15 is returned to itsoriginal position by means of the elasticity of the inclination portion17. Thus, even when a particular portion of the wheel 11 is pressed sothat the wheel 11 becomes tilted, this elasticity allows it to berestored to its original position. The securing portion 19 extends fromthe end of the inclination portion 17 and is joined to the upper surfaceof the base 39 to secure the holder 15. The securing portion 19 may bejoined to the base 39 by means of adhesive or tape, etc.

Since the holder 15 is joined directly to a side of the base 39 by meansof adhesive, etc., the rotary manipulation type input apparatusaccording to this embodiment has superior endurance to external impact.Also, the elasticity of the holder 15, which is formed of metal, allowsnot only the holder 15 itself but also the wheel 11 to be restored totheir original positions, to provide a better tactile feel.

In the support portion 16 are formed support portion holes 20. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, a portion of the Hall sensor 35, i.e. the sensingmeans, may be positioned in the support portion hole 20. Also, the bodyportion 18 has ledges 23 formed adjacent to the center hole 21.

The support portion holes 20 in the support portion 16 are formed tocorrespond with the Hall sensors 35 mounted on the printed circuit board31, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, hold portions of the Hall sensors 35.The center hole 21 is formed in the center of the holder 15. Also, thewheel 11 is rotatably inserted onto a perimeter 22 forming the centerhole 21, to prevent the wheel 11 from becoming detached. The ledges 23,as illustrated in FIG. 2, are formed adjacent to the center hole 21. Thewasher 25 is inserted and joined onto the ledges 23.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the washer 25 is generally shaped as a donut,with a plurality of rotation holes 27 formed in certain intervals alongthe ring. The washer 25 is inserted and joined onto the ledges 23 todefine the angle by which the wheel 11 is able to rotate. While thereare four arc-shaped rotation holes 27 illustrated in this embodiment,the invention is not thus limited, and it is to be appreciated that thenumber and central angles of the rotation holes 27 may be changedaccording to design considerations. For example, one or two rotationholes 27 formed along the ring of the washer 25 with a central angle of180° or 360° may be used for the rotation holes 27.

The center key 29 is inserted through the insertion hole 14 of the wheel11 and supported by elastic rubber (not shown), etc. The center key 29is pressed by the user to perform a particular function, examples ofwhich include connecting to the Internet or receiving DMB (DigitalMultimedia Broadcasting), etc.

The printed circuit board 31 has the shape of a circular plate incorrespondence with the base 39, with a plurality of dome buttons 33formed on one side in correspondence with the push protrusions formed onthe reverse side of the holder 15. Also, there are receiving holes 37formed on the printed circuit board 31 in which at least portions of theHall sensors 35 may be inserted. The printed circuit board 31 is formedwith a diameter somewhat shorter than the diameter of the base 39, inorder to allow a sufficient area where the securing portion 19 of theholder 15 may be joined.

The dome buttons 33 are pressed by push protrusions (not shown) formedon the reverse side of the holder 15 to perform separate functions.While in this embodiment the dome buttons 33 are illustrated as beingpressed by means of the wheel 11, the invention is not thus limited, andany composition may be used in which certain pressing performs separatefunctions. For example, pressure sensors or contact sensors may also beused instead of the dome buttons 33.

The receiving holes 37 are formed on the printed circuit board 31 incorrespondence with the support portion holes 20 of the holder 15, andas illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, at least portions of the Hall sensors35 are positioned in the receiving holes 37. Thus, compared to the caseof mounting Hall sensors 35 on the upper surface of the printed circuitboard 31, the thickness of the input device in the present embodimentmay be reduced by the by the thickness of a receiving hole 37.

The detection element may be a Hall sensor (Hall effect sensor), whichis a silicon semiconductor using the effect of electromotive forcesbeing generated when electrons experience the Lorentz force in amagnetic field and their direction is curved. The Hall sensors generateelectromotive forces that are proportional to the rotation of the magnet13 attached to the wheel 11, which are transferred via the printedcircuit board 31 to an outside control unit (not shown).

Of course, the detection element is not limited to Hall sensors, and anyelement may be used which can detect the rotation of the magnet 13. Forexample, MR (magneto-resistive) sensors or GMR (giant magneto-resistive)sensors may be used for the detection element. An MR sensor or a GMRsensor is an element of which the resistance value is changed accordingto changes in the magnetic field, and utilizes the property thatelectromagnetic forces curve and elongate the carrier path in a solid tochange the resistance. Not only are MR sensors or GMR sensors small insize with high signal levels, but also they have excellent sensitivityto allow operation in low-level magnetic fields, and they are alsosuperior in terms of temperature stability.

When the detection element consists of Hall sensors 35, the Hall sensors35 are joined to the printed circuit board 31 by leads 36, where theleads 36 are inserted through the insertion holes 43 of the base 39 andjoined to the reverse side of the printed circuit board 31.

The base 39, as illustrated in FIG. 1, has the shape of a circularplate, and rotatably supports the holder 15 and the wheel 11. Thediameter of the base 39 is formed to be somewhat longer than that of theprinted circuit board 31. Also, insertion holes 43 are formed on thebase 39 in correspondence with the receiving holes 37 of the printedcircuit board 31. As illustrated in FIG. 3, portions of the Hall sensors35 are positioned in the insertion holes 43, whereby the thickness ofthe rotary manipulation type input apparatus may further be reduced bythe thickness of the insertion holes 43.

Below, a description will be given of the operation of a rotarymanipulation type input apparatus according to the present embodiment.

When a rotational force is applied by a user on an outer side of thecenter key 29, the wheel 11 is rotated while inserted onto the perimeter22 of the holder 15, which causes the magnet 13 to rotate together withthe wheel 11. As the magnet 13 has a multiple number of alternatelymagnetized N- and S-poles, the Hall sensors 35 can sense the changes inpoles due to the rotation of the magnet 13, to recognize the rotationdirection, speed, and angle of the wheel 11. The Hall sensors 35generate output signals corresponding to the rotation direction,rotation angle, and rotation speed of the wheel 11, which aretransmitted via the printed circuit board 31 to an outside control unit,and the control unit identifies the output signals to perform an inputcorresponding to the rotation of the wheel 11.

Also, when an outer side of the center key 29 is pressed by a user, thewheel 11 is tilted in one direction while elastically supported by theholder 15, which causes the push protrusions (not shown) formed on thereverse side of the holder 15 to press the dome buttons 33. This allowseach of the dome buttons 33 positioned on the printed circuit board 31to perform its own function. For example, in the input apparatusillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, there are four dome buttons 33 in equalintervals that can be pressed by the push protrusions, where each domebutton 33 may function as a hot key for launching a text messagefunction, searching phone numbers, connecting to the Internet, orreceiving satellite broadcasts, etc. In addition, the center key 29 mayalso perform a separate function when pressed by a user.

Such a rotary manipulation type input apparatus may be used in a mobileterminal such as a laptop or PDA (personal digital assistant), as wellas in a mobile phone.

The present invention can thus provide a rotary manipulation type inputapparatus which has a reduced thickness, and which outputs rotationspeed, direction, and angle, etc., to allow various types of input.

The invention can also provide a rotary manipulation type inputapparatus which has superior endurance to external impact, etc.

While the above description has pointed out novel features of theinvention as applied to the embodiments disclosed above, it is to beconstrued that various permutations and modifications are includedwithin the scope of the present invention.

1. A rotary manipulation type input apparatus comprising: a rotatable wheel; a magnet joined to the bottom of the wheel; a printed circuit board having one or more detection elements mounted thereon, the detection elements detecting a rotation of the magnet; a base having the printed circuit board joined thereto; and a holder joined to the base and supporting the wheel such that the wheel is rotatable, wherein the holder comprises a body portion, an inclination portion extending in a particular angle from the body portion, and a securing portion extending from an end of the inclination portion and joined to the base, and the inclination portion is made of metal.
 2. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board has one or more receiving holes formed therein in correspondence with the detection elements, and at least a portion of the detection elements is inserted in the receiving holes.
 3. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body portion and the securing portion are made of metal.
 4. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base has one or more insertion holes in which at least a portion of the detection elements is positioned in correspondence with the receiving holes.
 5. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection element is a Hall sensor or an MR sensor.
 6. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body portion has an insertion hole and one or more ledges formed adjacent to the insertion hole, the wheel has securing protrusions protruding downwards, and a washer having one or more rotation holes of predetermined central angles formed therein is inserted onto the ledges, the securing protrusions being inserted into the rotation holes.
 7. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder has one or more support portion holes, formed in positions corresponding to the detection elements, in which at least portions of the detection elements are positioned.
 8. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a center key formed at the center of the wheel; and a dome button on the printed circuit board such that enables the center key to press the dome button.
 9. A rotary manipulation type input apparatus comprising: a rotatable wheel; a magnet joined to the bottom of the wheel; a printed circuit board having one or more detection elements mounted thereon, the detection elements detecting a rotation of the magnet; a base having the printed circuit board joined thereto; and an elastic holder joined to the base and supporting the wheel such that the wheel is rotatable.
 10. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the holder is made of metal.
 11. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 9, wherein the printed circuit board has one or more receiving holes formed therein in correspondence with the detection elements, and at least a portion of the detection elements is inserted in the receiving holes.
 12. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 9, wherein the base has one or more insertion holes in which at least a portion of the detection elements is positioned in correspondence with the receiving holes.
 13. The rotary manipulation type input apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a center key formed at the center of the wheel; and a dome button on the printed circuit board such that enables the center key to press the dome button. 